This week, Advertiser columnist Ruth Wishart shares in a fresh dose of Scottish sporting optimism - and wonders how she can keep it going...

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Not that I’m in any way superstitious. Don’t notice walking under ladders, over cracks. Pick up stray single gloves (who else will?) Have no compulsion to throw salt over shoulder, discuss the time of day with visiting Magpies, ban assorted flowers and plants from the house, or keep certain colours off the back. Life’s too short etc.

However. On the matter of sporting occasions there is something of a change of gear. Last Saturday, in the company of friends, I watched the Scotland rugby team break the habit of a lifetime and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. (The reverse syndrome has been a bad habit of late.)

My attire had been carefully selected. Saltire rugby top with Calcutta Cup 2000 T shirt underneath. (The one we won!) Merely for the avoidance of doubt, you understand. My hostess couldn’t quite decide whether her Murrayfield scarf was lucky or not since it had a pretty dodgy track record. However she put it on after the first try.

And so to this coming Sunday. There is time to launder the same ensemble of course, but should I risk a change into the other Scotland rugby shirt topped off with the world cup scarf? Decisions, decisions.

There is never the same dilemma at football fixtures. Just about every tartan scarf in the collection has been given an airing and found wanting. But the Scotland fifteen chucking around the oval ball have a genuine air of winners about them.

Incidentally on the morning of the Ireland match I was tuned into the Today programme hoping for a round up of all the sporting delights to follow. And indeed there was one. I quote: “The Six Nations: Scotland gets it underway this afternoon, but all eyes will be on England."

And they wonder why Jocks whinge?

I noticed on twitter that the BBC’s Middle East correspondent, Jeremy Bowen, was also moved to grit his teeth suggesting his “esteemed colleagues” covering sport might like to notice that there are another five teams competing for the trophy.

I greatly envy the tartan army who will be watching Scotland v France live in Paris. It’s not that you get a better view than on the telly. But whether you’re celebrating or drowning familiar sorrows, there are few cities more agreeable.

So to the troops heading to the Auld Alliance bar en route, A votre sante, mes amis. We just might pull it off. Providing I don’t have a wardrobe malfunction.